Adjustable light support for reflectors



Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,550

- L. BLACKMORE ADJUSTABLE LIGHT SUPPORT FOR REFLECTORS Filed July 5,1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,550

1.. BLACKMORE ADJUSTABLE LIGHT SUPPORT FOR REFLECTORS Filed July 5, 1925Sheets-Sheet 2 fit) Fat tented Feb. 7, 1928.

tl'NlTE'D STATES PATENT cri ics.

LLUZ'D BLAOI IMGEE, Q1 'I'IIGHLAI-ID PARK, MICHIGAN, ASS'ZGNGR T0GENERAL MOTORS CGRFGEATIQH; 0F DETEDLC'I, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATIONDEEAVZLARE.

AIDEUS'IABLE LIGHT SUPPQRT FOR REFLEGTOBS.

Application filed July 3, 1925. Serial Ho. 41 33-4 In the present dayautomobile headlight, consisting essentially of a light source and areflector, it is necessary to providean adjusting means which willpermit considerable variation in the position oi? the light soiu'cc inthe reflector so as to secure the desired distribution of the reflectedlight. T iis is because the parts of the lamp and casing are notmanufactured with suilicient accuracy nor arethe filaments positioned inthe bulb with sutiicient precision to permit of the latter being fiXQdin position in the lamp.

The adjusting means which I have devised affords the requiredadjustments and at the same time holds the light source so securely inits adjusted position that it. will not become loosened as a result ofvibration of the car. it is also of very simple but sturdy constructionand may be cheaply manufactured and easily assembled.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is atragmentary view of an automobile headlight with parts insection showing my adjustable light support in po sition;

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig ure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged View of a detail; and

Figures 4: and 5 are views corresponding to Figure l but showingmodified forms.

Referring to Figure 1, 2 indicates an automobile headlight casino; whichmay be of any preferred shape, while l indicates a reflector securedwithin the casing and serving to project the rays emanating from thecustomary light bulb shown at 6. T he reilector iis pr vided with anopening 8 through which projects the socket 10 in which is mounted thelight bulb. lhc socket iits loosely within the opening to permit. oi theadjustments to be later described. To the socket 10 is secured a member12 having at its forward end spring fingers 141-, shown in detail inFigures 2 and 3, which are adapted to project into aperture 16 formed inthe reflector adjacent the opening 8. lhe spring lingers 14L normallydiverge and are compressed for insertion in the aperture 16. Vi henreleased they irictionally engage the edges of the aperture and servevery effectively tor yieldingly mounting the socket in the reflector soas to permit longitudinal and rocking adjustmmit thereof while at thesame time. holding the socket securely in position so that it will notbecome loosened as a result of vibrations of the car. i

The other end of the member 12 is providedwithan apertured upturned end18 for engagement with an adjusting; means consisting of a screw L 0fitting loosely within an aperture 22 in the rear wallet the lampcasing. The screw 20 is provided with means to trictionally gripthecasing so as tohold the assembly in adjusted position. This meansconsists of washers 24 encircling the screw and arranged one inside andone outside the casing. The springQdivhih encircles the screw, hearing.at. one end against the rip-turned end 18 of the member 12 and at theother end against the inner aslier 24. serves to trict-ionally grip thewall betweentlie two washers and holds the assemhly in any position ofrocking adjustment. Atthe same time by tensicning the part 18 withrespect to the screw it acts as aspring washer to hold the assembly inany position of longitudinal adjustment.

it is now apparent that by rotating the screw 20 the lightning assemblymay be moved longitudinally either inwardly or outwardly with respect tothe reflector, the fingers let sliding in the aperture 16. The wholeassembly may also be rotated about the tulcrun'i aii'orded by the partsldand 16 and, in whatever vay the assembly may be adjusted, the spring26 will yieldingly hold it in position.

The modification shown in Figure l ditters from that shown in thepreceding fig ures only in that the reflector is provided with aplurality of apertures 28 and 29 in place of the single aperture 16 anda U- shaped member is substituted for the member 12, the ends of thelegs of the U engaging in the apertures 28 and 29 under tension; thatis, the U-shaped member is slightly compressed for insertion of its endsin the apertures and its consequent tendency to expand causes it to gripthe reflector. The end of each leg of the U is preferably also providedwith resilient tongues 36 as in the preceding form. The adjusting screw20 is threaded in the base 84 of the U.

in the modification shown in Figure 5 I have substituted for the member12 of Figure 1 a member 38 provided with a portion 4-0 for engagement inthe aperture 42 in the reflector and with a down-turned portion 44;

for engagement with the adjusting screw 20. This arrangement isparticularly adapted for head lamps in which there isbut slight spacebetween the reflector and the rear of the lamp casing. j

Ifpreferred, the partAO may be slit to form spring fingers as in theother form.

I claim:

1. The combination of a reflector having a an opening therein, a lampsocket adapted to support a lamp in said opening, said re flector beingprovided with an apertureadjacent said opening, a part secured to saidlamp socketand having frictionally gripping engagement with saidaperture for supporting said socket and permitting adjustment of thelatter, said part being provided with an end portion extending at anangle to the main portion thereof, a lamp ing, said reflector beingprovided with a plurality of apertures adjacent said opening, aresilient U-shaped member secured to said mounting, the ends of the legsof the U-shaped member being adapted to engage in said apertures undertension for adjust ably positioning said mounting with respect to thereflector.

i. The structure as defined by claim 3, and means engaging said U-shapedmember for positively adjusting said mounting with respect to saidreflector.

5. The structure as defined by claim 3, and a lamp casing enclosing saidreflector and provided with an aperture, means passing loosely throughsaidaperture and provided with devices having frictional engagement withthe casing, said means engaging said U-shaped member for longitudinal aswell as rocking adjustment thereof. '6. The combination or a reflectorhaving an opening therein, a light mounting adapted to support a lightbulb in said opening, said reflector being provided with an aperture,said mounting being provided with a part adapted to have resilientgripping engagement with said aperture for sliding and rockingadjustment of said mounting with respect to the reflector, said partcomprising resilient tongues arranged to be placed under stress whenengaged in said aperture.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LLOYD BLACKMORE;

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